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Tag: PBA Commissioner’s Cup

  • Juan Gomez de Liaño says Converge is hungry to shake off underdog tag in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Juan Gomez de Liaño says Converge is hungry to shake off underdog tag in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Even with high-profile additions, Converge enters the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a chip on its shoulder.

     

    Juan Gomez de Liaño is candid about the FiberXers’ position as the league heads into the mid-season conference. 

     

    While the team has bolstered its lineup with veteran Calvin Abueva, former road warrior Jonnel Policarpio and Javee Mocon, and potentially Mikey Williams, Gomez de Liaño emphasizes that on-paper talent does not automatically translate to postseason success.

     

    “I’d say we’re coming in still as underdogs because we haven’t proven anything yet in the league. We haven’t gone past the quarterfinals,” Gomez de Liaño said, highlighting the team’s unfinished business despite last season’s quarterfinals berth.

     

    Converge will rely on its newly strengthened frontcourt, Abueva joining Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana — and the addition of import Kylor Kelley to finally break through the first-round barrier. The anticipated arrival of Williams could also provide the perimeter scoring and experience needed in clutch moments.

     

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    Gomez de Liaño also said, “I feel like now with the right pieces and the tools, I think we really have a chance to go past the first round especially, you know, with Calvin coming in. We also got Mikey Williams and the import as well.” 

     

    The PBA Commissioner’s Cup kicks off on March 11, with Converge facing the guest team Macau Black Bears. For Gomez de Liaño and his teammates, the focus is clear and that is to prove the team can go further than ever before.

     

    Chemistry remains the ultimate test for Converge. Integrating newcomers like Abueva, Policarpio, and potentially Mikey Williams into a cohesive unit will be critical if the team wants to move beyond the early playoff rounds. 

     

    Gomez de Liaño acknowledges that skill alone isn’t enough — the team must learn to operate seamlessly under pressure and develop trust across all positions.

     

    Beyond individual talent, Converge’s mindset is under scrutiny. The team aims to shed its underdog label, and that starts with approaching each game as a statement. 

     

    Every matchup in the Commissioner’s Cup is an opportunity to showcase growth, and for Converge, the stakes are as much about establishing identity as they are about winning.

     

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  • All PBA teams locked in with imports for Commissioner’s Cup

    All PBA teams locked in with imports for Commissioner’s Cup

    With less than a month before the PBA Commissioner’s Cup tips off, the league’s import landscape is officially complete, promising plenty of size and star power for the mid-season conference.

     

    Leading the arrivals is Marcus Lee, who joins the San Miguel Beermen to reinforce a squad chasing back-to-back championships. At 6-foot-11, Lee brings collegiate experience from University of Kentucky and University of California, as well as an extensive overseas career after going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft.

     

    Kylor Kelley is set to patrol the paint for Converge FiberXers after a stint with the South Bay Lakers. The 7-foot center is expected to anchor Converge’s defense while providing key rim protection.

     

    Guest team Macau Black Bears also solidified its lineup with towering presences, signing 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara and 6-foot-7 veteran Tony Mitchell. League rules allow only one import on the court at a time, with the other serving as backup. 

     

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    Other notable reinforcements include former NBA player Bol Bol for TNT Tropang Giga, Terrell Brown-Soares for Magnolia Hotshots, Daniel Ochefu for Blackwater Bossing, Israel Romero for Meralco Bolts, Jaylen Johnson for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, James Dickey for Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, Cady Lalanne for NLEX Road Warriors, and longtime Ginebra reinforcement Justin Brownlee.

     

    Finally, Michael Gilmore completes the Titan Ultra Giant Risers’ import roster, making this season’s mid-season conference one of the tallest in recent memory.

     

    With all teams fully equipped, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, set to begin on March 11, promises high-flying action and a showcase of talent both local and imported. 

     

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  • Calvin Abueva urges patience as Converge FiberXers build chemistry

    Calvin Abueva urges patience as Converge FiberXers build chemistry

    Early buzz around the Converge FiberXers continues to grow, but Calvin Abueva is making sure the conversation stays grounded.

     

    Despite the roster upgrades and rising expectations heading into the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Abueva believes the FiberXers are still in the early stages of building the identity they hope to carry into the midseason conference.

     

    The veteran forward spoke after Converge’s 92-87 tune-up victory over the Blackwater Bossing at the Gatorade Hoops Center, where flashes of potential were evident—but consistency and chemistry remain works in progress.

     

    “Actually, marami pang adjustment,” he said moments after their 92-87 win over Blackwater in a tuneup game at the Gatorade Hoops Center on Wednesday.

     

    “Hindi mo naman puwedeng sabihin na pagdating, agad-agad malakas, ‘di ba? Medyo hindi pa naman kumpleto ‘yung communication ng bawat isa sa amin.”

     

    Converge’s evolving roster has been one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. The league recently approved a three-team trade that sent Deschon Winston and Kevin Racal out while bringing in Jonnel Policarpio and Kurt Reyson from sister MVP Group squads. The move came shortly after the franchise secured Abueva himself in a separate deal—another signal that the young organization is aggressively reshaping its lineup.

     

    With the additions, optimism quickly followed. But Abueva stressed that talent alone does not instantly translate into results.

     

    “‘Yun muna ‘yung pag-aaralan namin para sa conference, mas mag-explode kami, mas maintindihan namin ang isa’t isa sa amin,” he offered.

     

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    “Kasi season na ‘yun eh. This time, kailangan namin trabahuhin kung paano ‘yung communication namin outside and inside the court.”

     

    Even for a seasoned player known for his relentless motor, the adjustment period has been real. Abueva admitted he is still learning the system under head coach Delta Pineda while managing minor physical discomfort from the team’s intense training sessions.

     

    Those minor aches forced him to sit out the preseason outing, though he clarified that the decision was purely precautionary.

     

    “In the first three days ko na nag-ensayo, OK naman. Nakakasabay. Pero ‘yun nga, sabi ko nga, hindi ka makakagalaw hangga’t may iniinda ka,” he said.

     

    “‘Yun naman yung sinabi ko sa management, na hangga’t may iniinda ako, hindi ako makakagalaw. Pero ‘pag nawala ‘yan, automatic talaga, tatrabaho ako.”

     

    Still, beyond the adjustments and recovery process, Abueva sees something promising forming within the FiberXers’ locker room—particularly in the team’s competitive edge.

     

    “This time competitive na ‘yung team,” the Kapampangan star offered, “and ‘yun nga ‘yung maganda rito, mas double effort mga mangyayari sa amin.”

     

    For now, Converge’s transformation remains a work in progress—but if Abueva’s mindset is any indication, the FiberXers are prioritizing cohesion over hype as they prepare for the challenges of the Commissioner’s Cup.

     

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  • June Mar Fajardo gears up for matchup with Bol Bol in PBA

    June Mar Fajardo gears up for matchup with Bol Bol in PBA

    The coming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup isn’t just about another title chase, it’s shaping up to be a showcase of size, skill, and supremacy in the paint.

     

    With the league scrapping height restrictions for imports on the upcoming conference, the spotlight immediately shifts to a looming collision between two towering figures. The nine-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and TNT’s new reinforcement, 7-foot-3 Bol Bol.

     

    For years, Fajardo has stood as the PBA’s most imposing presence. At 6-foot-10, he has built a dynasty with San Miguel, collecting championships, a record 13 Best Player of the Conference awards, and Finals MVP trophies. 

     

    But the arrival of Bol Bol the 26-year-old son of late NBA veteran Manute Bol presents a different kind of challenge.

     

    “Maraming papahirapan yung import na yun. Di lang kami. Buong liga siguro mahihirapan sa kaniya,” Fajardo said.

     

    TNT, the defending champion, doubled down on its bid to repeat by tapping Bol Bol. The Tropang 5G are widely viewed as the team to beat, and his combination of length, mobility, and NBA seasoning only strengthens that perception.

     

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    The former 44th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft last suited up in the league in April 2025 with the Phoenix Suns. He also had stints with Denver and Orlando. Flashes of the versatile skill set that made him one of basketball’s most intriguing long-limbed prospects.

     

    Yet for all the buzz surrounding Bol Bol, Fajardo remains steady and views the matchup as fuel.

    “Hahanapan ng paraan yun para ma-stop siya,” the 36-year-old Cebuano said.

     

    Fajardo knows that containing TNT won’t rest on a single player’s shoulders. While the much-anticipated showdown between towering big men is bound to draw attention.

     

    To strengthen its title defense in Season 50, San Miguel, the PBA’s winningest franchise tapped the 6-foot-11 Marcus Lee as its import for the upcoming conference.

     

    Lee brings solid credentials to the Beermen as he played collegiate basketball at the University of Kentucky before transferring to the University of California, and went on to build a lengthy professional career overseas after going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft.

     

    He now joins a San Miguel squad riding high from its championship triumph in the season-opening Philippine Cup, aiming to help the team secure a back-to-back title.

     

    Fresh off another dominant campaign capped by a record fifth Finals MVP, Fajardo enters the mid-season conference not defending his stature, but reinforcing it. At 36, he remains the standard by which PBA big men are measured.

     

    The Commissioner’s Cup, it seems won’t just test who stands tallest, but who stands strongest when giants collide.

     

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  • Bol Bol enters evaluation phase as TNT Tropang 5G opens training camp for  PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense

    Bol Bol enters evaluation phase as TNT Tropang 5G opens training camp for  PBA Commissioner’s Cup title defense

    The spotlight isn’t on game night just yet—it’s on preparation.

     

    As defending champions gear up for another run in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, TNT Tropang 5G has shifted its focus to a crucial four-day training block at the Inspire Sports Academy, where new import Bol Bol begins what could be the most important stretch of his transition into Philippine basketball.

     

    Rather than immediate expectations, the camp is designed as a controlled environment—part conditioning reset, part system immersion—for the 7-foot-3 former NBA big man.

    Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said the closed-door setup allows the coaching staff to closely monitor Bol’s progress as he adapts to TNT’s structure and pace.

     

    “I still have to see him in kind of at least full strength because he’s not in shape yet,” said Lastimosa on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the MVP Olympics All-Star Game.

     

    “So I want to see him how he does in the camp, how he understands the system and all that.”

    Bol’s arrival comes with intrigue not just because of his rare size and skillset, but also because of his basketball lineage as the son of late NBA defensive icon Manute Bol. 

     

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    He first linked up with the team earlier this week during a light session at the Moro Lorenzo Gym, marking his initial on-court introduction to teammates and coaches.

     

    Later that evening, Bol observed from courtside alongside team owner Manny V. Pangilinan and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, as Lastimosa coached against a squad handled by Luigi Trillo in a tightly contested exhibition.

     

    While TNT enters the conference carrying championship momentum, Lastimosa emphasized that Bol’s integration remains a process rather than a guarantee.

     

    “It remains to be seen,” said the TNT team manager and former coach. “But I’m hopeful because he’s got experience and we know he got skills.”

     

    Bol’s professional journey includes NBA stints with the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns, and his arrival has naturally drawn comparisons to TNT’s previous import success with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who powered the franchise to last season’s Commissioner’s Cup crown.

     

    Still, the immediate objective is simpler: build rhythm, build chemistry, and rebuild conditioning.

    The Tropang 5G will conclude camp on Saturday, hoping the controlled grind becomes the foundation for another championship push. 

     

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  • San Miguel Beermen form twin-tower frontcourt with Marcus Lee for Commissioner’s Cup title push

    San Miguel Beermen form twin-tower frontcourt with Marcus Lee for Commissioner’s Cup title push

    Fresh off another championship run, San Miguel Beer is already reshaping its roster blueprint—this time by strengthening the paint.

     

    The Beermen have tapped former University of Kentucky standout Marcus Lee as their import for the Commissioner’s Cup, signaling a clear shift toward size and interior dominance as they chase a rare conference double.

     

    Lee, 31, brings a 6-foot-11 frame that pairs naturally with nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, forming what could be one of the most imposing frontcourts in the upcoming conference.

    Team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed the development.

     

    “Yes, he is. Dumating na siya kaninang umaga,” said Abanilla on Monday.

    Lee arrived just as San Miguel resumed practices following its successful title retention in the Philippine Cup under the Philippine Basketball Association calendar.

     

    Lee’s basketball journey has been shaped by both elite collegiate competition and extensive international exposure.

     

    During his early college years at Kentucky, he shared the court with future NBA standouts Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Trey Lyles, and Willie Cauley-Stein—a roster stacked with size and athleticism that mirrors the role he is expected to fill in San Miguel.

     

    He later completed his collegiate career at the University of California, before entering the professional ranks.

     

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    Although undrafted in the National Basketball Association in 2018, Lee carved out a steady professional path through the G League and multiple overseas leagues, including stops in Europe, Puerto Rico, and Australia.

     

    His most recent stint came with the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League, where he showcased the mobility and rim protection that made him an attractive fit for San Miguel’s system.

     

    San Miguel’s import selection also reflects continuity. The franchise last captured the mid-season conference crown in Season 48 behind the strong inside-out presence of Bennie Boatwright.

    Now, with Fajardo anchoring the paint and Lee adding athletic length, the Beermen appear intent on doubling down on their interior identity.

     

    The team enters the Commissioner’s Cup with momentum after defeating the TNT Tropang 5G in six games to retain the Philippine Cup championship—an achievement that further strengthens expectations for another deep run.

     

    Instead of rebuilding after a title, San Miguel is reinforcing it—turning size, experience, and championship rhythm into its next competitive edge.

     

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  • 2026 PBA Draft top pick Geo Chiu embraces rebuild role as Terrafirma prepares for Commissioner’s Cup

    2026 PBA Draft top pick Geo Chiu embraces rebuild role as Terrafirma prepares for Commissioner’s Cup

    Fresh from a championship run but stepping into a completely different challenge, Geo Chiu is entering the next phase of his basketball journey with measured optimism as he prepares for his debut in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    The 6-foot-10 rookie will suit up for the Terrafirma Dyip for the first time after completing his commitments with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, where he helped power the Abra Weavers to their first-ever title. From leading a championship squad to joining a franchise trying to escape the bottom of the standings, Chiu understands that the transition will test both his mindset and development. 

     

    Instead of dwelling on the contrast, the No. 1 overall pick is choosing to view the situation as an opportunity for growth.

     

    When asked about the adjustment from playing for a winning MPBL squad to joining a rebuilding PBA team, Chiu said, “Ako naman po, ineenjoy ko naman po (na nasa PBA ako). Like what you said, our team, we’re struggling. Pero siguro for me, I see it in a positive way naman. Since we are struggling, there’s so much room for improvement and for us to get better.”

     

    “Hindi naman po namin siya ni-rurush. We just take it one game at a time, one practice at a time. And I can see naman na the team is really working. So hopefully, itong season po, mawala na po ‘yung stigma na puro kami sa baba.”

     

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    Chiu’s arrival comes with expectations, not only because he was the top selection in the draft but also due to his defensive presence developed during his collegiate run with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. However, the rookie admits that his role with Terrafirma is already larger than what he previously handled.

     

    “’Yung role ko naman po, mainly is just to defend, get rebounds. ‘Yung offense naman po, parang bonus lang po ‘yun. But I’m working on it. ‘Yung role ko dito, medyo malaki nga po siya than what I’m used to but ‘yung mga coaches ko naman po, they really help me a lot. They just help me change my mindset. And so far naman, they’ve been helping me so much. I just need to gain more confidence na po talaga,” said Chiu.

     

    Early tune-up games have already provided a glimpse of the level of competition awaiting him. Chiu logged minutes against the Converge FiberXers and later faced the physical frontline of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, experiences that highlighted the gap between collegiate and professional play.

     

    While his performances were respectable, the rookie big man believes those outings reinforced the need for further development, particularly in strength and consistency against elite competition.

     

    “Ako naman po, nakikita ko na mayroong pang kailangan i-work on sa sarili ko. Siyempre ‘yung mga nakakalaban po natin dito sa PBA, the best of the best… They are really dominant. So ako, I have to work on myself to get stronger.

     

    “Everything, so far good naman po kasi positive naman po siya. I get to see what I need to work on,” said Chiu.

     

    For Chiu, the Commissioner’s Cup will not just be about statistics or immediate results—it will be about helping reshape a team identity while carving out his own place in the league. Coming from a championship environment, he now carries that experience into a franchise hoping to build one of its own.

     

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  • Stanley Pringle to miss first two months of Commissioner’s Cup after knee surgery 

    Stanley Pringle to miss first two months of Commissioner’s Cup after knee surgery 

    Rain or Shine will begin its campaign in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup without one of its veteran backcourt leaders, as Stanley Pringle shifts his focus from competition to recovery.

     

    The high-scoring guard is expected to miss the first two months of the conference after undergoing surgery to address a lingering right lateral meniscus tear—an injury that quietly affected his rhythm during the previous Philippine Cup.

     

    Head coach Yeng Guiao revealed that the issue traced back to a preseason game, forcing the team to carefully manage Pringle’s minutes throughout the all-Filipino tournament before the veteran eventually opted for surgery during the offseason.

     

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    Pringle is currently in the early phase of a projected three-month recovery timeline. He has been seen moving with crutches and has not participated in the Elasto Painters’ recent tune-up matches, underscoring the team’s cautious approach to his rehabilitation.

     

    “Makakabalik siya in three months (after surgery). Halos nakaisang buwan na siya,”  Guiao said.

     

    “Siguro by April, makakabalik siya. Siguro in the middle of the eliminations.” The Rain or Shine head coach added. 

     

    The injury limited Pringle’s overall impact in his first conference with Rain or Shine, where he appeared in just four games and averaged 5.5 points and 2.3 assists. While the numbers reflected a reduced role, the coaching staff believes a full recovery could help the 38-year-old rediscover his offensive spark and veteran presence.

     

    For now, Rain or Shine’s early conference storyline centers on depth and adjustment, as the team navigates the opening stretch without one of its most experienced guards while waiting for Pringle’s return to stabilize the rotation.

     

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  • Barangay Ginebra gets frontcourt boost with Isaac Go’s comeback

    Barangay Ginebra gets frontcourt boost with Isaac Go’s comeback

    In a Commissioner’s Cup where towering imports often dictate matchups, the Kings chose familiarity over height, bringing back Justin Brownlee despite the absence of a size limit. 

     

    Brownlee has built a legacy in red and white, but at 6-foot-6, he will once again look up at many of his fellow reinforcements across the league. This time, however, he won’t be standing alone underneath.

     

    After more than a year of rehabilitation, Isaac Go is finally set to make his long-awaited debut for Ginebra — not as a headline-grabbing acquisition, but as a structural solution. The 6’7 big man gives the Kings something they quietly missed, reliable size to withstand the nightly pounding inside. Coach Tim Cone confirmed the development as the team gears up for the conference grind.

     

    “We got Isaac Go coming back. We have an extra big along with our other two bigs,” said the Ginebra mentor, referring to veterans Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario. “So we’ll have a three-headed monster to try to contain these big other imports.”

     

    “Three-headed monster” hints at a tactical shift. Rather than asking Aguilar to anchor extended minutes or forcing Rosario to battle heavier counterparts possession after possession, Ginebra can now rotate length, preserve energy, and deploy size situationally. 

     

    In a tournament built around dominant imports, depth up front could spell the difference between surviving and advancing.

     

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    Go’s journey to this point has unfolded almost in silence. Acquired in a trade with Terrafirma alongside Stephen Holt in exchange for Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger, the former Ateneo standout has yet to play a single game for the Kings. 

     

    In the time it took for his ACL to heal, Ginebra reached two finals, roster pieces moved on, and the league’s competitive balance shifted. Now, the timeline finally catches up with him.

     

    Ginebra deputy Olsen Racela shared that Go has already rejoined team drills, inching closer to full clearance.

     

    “May isang clearance na lang which would come within the week. Once may go-signal na, puwede na siyang sumali sa scrimmages,” Racela said.

     

    With Cone currently attending to national team duties with Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA window, Racela and fellow assistant Johnny Abarrientos have overseen practices — integrating Go carefully, deliberately, and with long-term durability in mind.

     

    For Ginebra, this isn’t just about adding a player back into the rotation. It’s about restoring balance to a roster that chose heart and continuity over sheer height. Brownlee will still give up inches on most nights. That reality won’t change.

     

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  • San Miguel and Titan Ultra stand out as last teams yet to announce imports for PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    San Miguel and Titan Ultra stand out as last teams yet to announce imports for PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    With less than a month to go before the start of the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on March 11, nearly every team has already locked in its foreign reinforcements — except two franchises that traditionally figure in the title hunt. 

     

    San Miguel Beermen and the newcomer Titan Ultra Giant Risers remain the only squads without confirmed imports as of press time, making their decisions among the most closely watched developments of the pre‑season.

     

    Across the league, the removal of the import height limit for this year’s Commissioner’s Cup has set off a parade of towering foreign reinforcements, with teams capitalizing on the chance to bring in size and athleticism unmatched in previous mid‑season conferences. 

     

    Tall frontcourt options like Cady Lalanne (NLEX), James Dickey (Phoenix), Jaylen Johnson (Rain or Shine), Daniel Ochefu (Blackwater), and Terrell Brown‑Soares (Magnolia) have already been confirmed, while Justin Brownlee returns for Barangay Ginebra and Bol Bol has officially been signed as the import for TNT Tropang 5G. Guest squad Macau Black Bears have also announced imports Samuel Deguara and Tony Mitchell, adding another layer of intrigue to the mid‑season slate.

     

    Despite this flurry of recruiting activity, the Beermen have taken a more measured approach. Head coach Leo Austria recently acknowledged that San Miguel is still in negotiations with several potential imports, with the goal of finding a player who can complement the inside presence of multi‑time MVP June Mar Fajardo — ideally someone with size, shooting range, and the ability to stretch defenses. 

     

    Austria insisted that a final decision could come soon but warned that the franchise won’t rush its choice just to meet the deadline.

     

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    For Titan Ultra, the situation is somewhat different. The young franchise, which made its PBA debut in the Philippine Cup after Pureblends Corp. acquired the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise, has been busy building its local roster — adding veterans like Roi Sumang and James Martinez — but has yet to officially announce an import. 

     

    The delay comes on the heels of coaching changes, including the departure of Johnedel Cardel as head coach, leaving fans to speculate whether Titan Ultra is still finalizing its scouting or waiting to land a specific target before disclosing its reinforcement.

     

    The urgency to secure quality imports has only been heightened by the overall shift in the conference’s dynamics. 

     

    With no height cap, teams are banking on elite big men to dominate the paint and anchor their defenses, placing added pressure on holdouts like San Miguel and Titan Ultra to finalize their plans before opening night. 

     

    The Beermen, in particular, are under the spotlight: they closed out the Philippine Cup as champions but struggled in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup and are looking for a mid‑season import that can help them chase another title and complete a near‑historic grand slam.

     

    As other teams finalize travel arrangements and begin training camp rotations with their imports, all eyes remain on San Miguel and Titan Ultra. Their eventual selections could not only reshape the early hierarchy of the Commissioner’s Cup standings but also influence how the rest of the league approaches matchups against them once the reinforcements suit up.

     

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